The
NEVADA DUSTERS
The Story of a Major League Baseball Franchise
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Dusters @ Cubs
May 31-June 2, 1962
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Reshuffling the Deck
During the Giants series Conn Hudson, Ben Naylor and the coaches took a long look at players' stats and agreed to experiment with a dramatically altered lineup for the upcoming series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mack Jones would take over center field from Tom Tresh and lead off. Following him would be # 2 Vic Power (first base), # 3 Billy Williams (left field), # 4 Hector Lopez (RF), # 5 Johnny Blanchard (C), # 6 Jerry Adair, moving from shortstop to second base, # 7 Tom Tresh, moving from center to short, # 8 Clete Boyer or Johnny Schaive (third base). This put the players with the highest OBP at the top of the order, the ones with the best slugging percentages in the middle, and returned Adair and Tresh to their best positions defensively. Gordy Coleman could be plugged in at # 2/first base against righties. Lou Johnson and Lee Maye (once he came off the DL) would be available as backup outfielders, Ken Hubbs could sub at either middle infield position, and Schaive could sub at second, short or third. Doug Camilli remained the backup catcher. It was an experiment that, for a couple of reasons, would last for only a few series.
The brain trust made further moves to improve the pitching staff. Steve Barber, who had gone 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts with AAA Bakersfield, was called back up to the starting rotation, replacing Pete Richert, who took on the closer's role. Bill Dailey became the setup man while Bob Duliba (rhp) and Jim Brewer (lhp) provided short relief. Claude Raymond was moved to middle relief and Jim Umbricht to long relief, while Jim Constable was sent down to Bakersfield. ""Reports are that Steve [Barber] has worked out some of the kinks," Hudson told the press, "and Pete [Richert] is better suited for the closer's role than anybody." (Richert and Dailey would soon swap assignments.)
During the Chicago Cubs series it was learned that two quality relief pitchers, Bill Henry and Ed Roebuck, had been released by the Reds and the Dodgers respectively. Henry, a 1960 All-Star, was asking too much ($2.4M) but the Dusters did try to negotiate with Roebuck. The two parties could not come to an agreement. (See below)
It was understood that shuffling the batting order risked negatively affecting the production of some players. But putting Mack Jones into the order brought speed on the base paths to a lineup notably lacking in that asset. And it was hoped that returning players to their best positions would cut down on the number of errors, a number which Ben Naylor in particular found entirely too high.
 1962 True's Baseball Yearbook
Nevada Dusters (30-24) @ Chicago Cubs (24-27)
May 31-June 2, 1962
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
DL: Lee Maye (RF), stretched knee ligament, twenty three days. Jerry Grote (C-Montana Wolves), hip pointer, one day.
TRADES
HOU offered Norm Larker (1B) for Johnny Blanchard (C). DECLINED.
STL offered Fred Whitfield (1B) and Harvey Branch (SP-A) for Johnny Schaive (3B) and Jim Umbricht (RP). DECLINED.
NEV negotiated with free agent Ed Roebuck (P), who was asking $1,500,000 for one year. NEV offered $950,000/1 yr. Roebuck countered with $1,400,000/1 yr. NEV ended the negotiations.
Chicago Cubs Game 1 starting lineup:
Lou Brock (CF), Bob Raudman (LF), Ron Santo (3B), Hank Aaron (RF), Ernie Banks (SS), Andre Rodgers (1B), Sammy Taylor (C), Jim McKnight (2B), Bob Anderson (SP)
 [May 31, Game 1]
The Dusters headed to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to start a six-game Midwest road trip, pitting Bob Shaw (5-2) against Cubs starter Bob Anderson (2-0) and hoping to take advantage of Chicago's decimated pitching staff. Dick Ellsworth was out until September with a broken ankle, Jack Curtis was on the DL for another month with a wrist stress fracture, and reliever Cal Koonce was also on the DL. The Dusters victimized Anderson in the 2nd inning; Jerry Adair doubled, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Tom Tresh single. Then Anderson walked two to load the bases for Vic Power, who hit a grand slam. Hector Lopez hit a solo blast before the frame was done, and the Dusters had a 6-0 lead. Tresh homered to left in the 5th and Mack Jones did likewise in the 8th. The Cubs got all of five hits against Bob Shaw, who pitched a complete game. The Dusters turned five double plays and El Tappe, one of the "College of Coaches" that managed the Cubs, admitted afterward that his team had not taken a "beating" like that all season long. For his part, Conn Hudson said the win went a long way toward easing the pain of the heartbreaking 9-8 loss Nevada had suffered at the hands of the Giants the day before.
Lineup: Jones, Power, Williams, Lopez, Blanchard, Adair, Tresh, Boyer, Shaw.
Record: 31-24
Dusters 8, Cubs 0
[June 1, Game 2]
Game 2 featured two rookie starters, George Gerberman (1-1) for Chicago and Joe Horlen (7-4) for Nevada, and the pair pitched a scoreless game early on. A Cubs error in the Nevada 4th put Johnny Blanchard in position to score on a Tom Tresh grounder in the 4th. Another Chicago miscue in the 5th
sent Vic Power to second, from whence he scored on a Billy Williams single. Johnny Blanchard opened the Duster 6th with a towering homer to left and it was 3-0 Nevada. The Cubs got on the board in the 7th; with two outs, Andre Rodgers singled, Sammy Taylor doubled, and pinch hitter Moe Morhardt drove them both in with a single to left. Lou Brock's solo home run in the 8th tied the game and sent it into extra innings, and with two on and two out in the bottom of the 10th Hank Aaron singled in the winning run with Pete Richert on the mound. Richert took the loss in his inauspicious debut as the third Nevada closer of the season.
Lineup: Jones, Power, Williams, Lopez, Blanchard, Adair, Tresh, Boyer, Horlen
Record: 31-25
Cubs 4, Dusters 3
[June 2, Game 3]
Gordy Coleman started at first and Johnny Schaive at second in the third game of the series, which marked the return of rookie Steve Barber (1-5) to the starting rotation. Barber pitched well, giving up one run on five hits in five innings of work. But his mound opponent, Al Lary (4-5) threw an even better game -- one run on four hits in 8.1 innings. Not that the Dusters didn't have baserunners, as Lary also issued six walks. Nevada scored in the 6th when Hector Lopez reached on an error, went to second on a Johnny Schaive hit, and scored when Tom Tresh singled through the right side. But it was one of the three errors on the Nevada side of the ledger that spelled the difference in the game. A miscue by catcher Johnny Blanchard in the 7th, with the game tied at 1-1, allowed a Chicago run to score. Ben Naylor was more than annoyed. "We shoulda left here with at least a couple of wins," he told reporters. "But we're not playing very good ball right now." The bright spots, according to Conn Hudson, was Barber's performance and Tom Tresh's series -- the latter was 4-for-12 with a pair of walks, a homer, a pair of runs, four RBIs and a stolen base. But there was more bad news -- starter Joe Horlen started a seven day stint on the DL with a pulled quadriceps, and reliever Claude Raymond was out five days with a twisted ankle.
Lineup: Jones, Coleman, Williams, Lopez, Blanchard, Schaive, Tresh, Boyer, Barber
Record: 31-26
Cubs 2, Dusters 1
 Wrigley Field
Home of the Chicago Cubs, 1914-present
Opened April 23, 1914
Cost: $250,000
Capacity in 1962: 36,644
Dimensions: 355 ft. (left), 357 ft. (left-center), 400 ft. (center), 363 ft. (right-center), 353 ft. (right)
Nevada Dusters financial update:
Average Attendance: 13,229 ..... Revenue: $14.2M ..... Profit: $3.9M ..... Cash: $8.5M ..... Team Payroll: $20.8M
Series stats:
2Bs: Adair, Jones, Williams
3Bs: none
HRs: Power, Tresh, Jones, Lopez, Blanchard
SBs: Schaive, Tresh
Runs: Jones (2), Power (2), Lopez (2), Adair, Tresh (2), Boyer, Blanchard (2)
RBIs: Jones, Power (4), Lopez, Tresh (4), Williams, Blanchard
Around the leagues:
CLE released Bill Henry (P).
LAD released Ed Roebuck (P).
PHI--Del Bates (C), strained knee, two weeks.
CLE--Woodie Held (SS), sprained neck, two weeks.
CIN--Mel Queen (P), pulled groin, two weeks.
KCA--Aurelio Monteagudo (P), fractured eye bone, four weeks.
LAD--Johnny Roseboro (C), ruptured cervical disc, two months.
NYY signed free agent Jacob Urbamn (RF) for $18,000/1 yr.
BYY signed free agent Tim Austin (P) for $18,000/1 yr.
Nevada Dusters at Chicago Cubs
June 1, 1962
TOP OF THE FIRST
George Gerberman takes the mound for the Cubs.
Mack Jones doubled over the left fielder. <-2->
Vic Power grounded to short. The runner was tagged out at third. <--1>
Billy Williams grounded to third for a double play (5-4-3). <--->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Joe Horlen takes the mound for the Dusters.
Lou Brock grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Bob Raudman grounded to first. <--->
Ron Santo flied out to right. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.
TOP OF THE SECOND
Hector Lopez flied out to right. <--->
Johnny Blanchard grounded to second. <--->
Jerry Adair walked. <--1>
Tom Tresh walked. <-21>
Clete Boyer grounded to third. <-21>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Hank Aaron popped up to second. <--->
Ernie Banks struck out. <--->
Andre Rodgers popped up to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the second, the game is tied at 0.
TOP OF THE THIRD
Joe Horlen struck out. <--->
Mack Jones doubled over the center fielder. <-2->
Vic Power popped up to second. <-2->
Billy Williams grounded to short. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the third, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Sammy Taylor popped up to the second baseman. <--->
Jim McKnight struck out. <--->
George Gerberman grounded to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the third, the game is tied at 0.
TOP OF THE FOURTH
Hector Lopez struck out. <--->
Johnny Blanchard walked. <--1>
Jerry Adair reached second on a fielding error by the center fielder. <32->
Tom Tresh grounded to the pitcher, scoring a run. <3-->
Clete Boyer popped up to second. <3-->
1 run, 0 hits, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Nevada leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Lou Brock singled through the left side. <--1>
Bob Raudman grounded to short. <-2->
Ron Santo grounded to short. <3-->
Hank Aaron flied out to center. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Chicago trails 1 to 0.
TOP OF THE FIFTH
Joe Horlen grounded to second. <--->
Mack Jones grounded to short. <--->
Vic Power reached second on a throwing error by the shortstop. <-2->
Billy Williams singled to right, scoring a run. <--1>
Hector Lopez struck out. <--1>
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Nevada leads 2 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Ernie Banks grounded to second. <--->
Andre Rodgers grounded to second. <--->
Sammy Taylor lined out to right field. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Chicago trails 2 to 0.
TOP OF THE SIXTH
Johnny Blanchard homered over the left field fence. <--->
Jerry Adair grounded to short. <--->
Tom Tresh singled up the middle. <--1>
Clete Boyer flied out to left field. <--1>
Joe Horlen reached second on a fielding error by the center fielder. <32->
Mack Jones dribbled weakly in front of home plate. <32->
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Nevada leads 3 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Jim McKnight lined out to short. <--->
George Altman pinch hit for George Gerberman. <--->
George Altman walked. <--1>
George Altman stole second. <-2->
Lou Brock struck out. <-2->
Bob Raudman walked. <-21>
Ron Santo grounded to second. <-21>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Chicago trails 3 to 0.
TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Barney Schultz came in to pitch for the Cubs. <--->
Vic Power grounded to second. <--->
Billy Williams singled to left. <--1>
Hector Lopez walked. <-21>
Johnny Blanchard grounded to the shortstop, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Jerry Adair grounded to first base. <3-1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Nevada leads 3 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Hank Aaron singled to left. <--1>
Ernie Banks grounded to second for a double play (4-6-3). <--->
Andre Rodgers singled down the third base line. <--1>
Sammy Taylor doubled to right-center. <32->
Moe Morhardt pinch hit for Jim McKnight. <32->
Moe Morhardt singled to left for two RBIs. <--1>
Bob Will pinch hit for Barney Schultz. <--1>
Bob Will grounded to the pitcher. <--1>
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Chicago trails 3 to 2.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Don Elston came in to pitch for the Cubs. <--->
Elder White came in to play Second Base. <--->
Tom Tresh popped up to first. <--->
Clete Boyer singled to right field. <--1>
Joe Horlen walked. <-21>
Mack Jones grounded to the shortstop for a double play (6-4-3). <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Nevada leads 3 to 2.
BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Lou Brock homered into the right field bleachers. <--->
Bob Raudman flied out to center. <--->
Ron Santo struck out. <--->
Hank Aaron grounded to short. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, the game is tied at 3.
TOP OF THE NINTH
Vic Power grounded to first. <--->
Billy Williams struck out. <--->
Hector Lopez singled to right. <--1>
Johnny Blanchard lined out to center. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, the game is tied at 3.
BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Bill Dailey came in to pitch for the Dusters. <--->
Ernie Banks singled up the middle. <--1>
Andre Rodgers popped up to first. <--1>
Sammy Taylor laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. <-2->
Elder White grounded to short. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the ninth, the game is tied at 3.
TOP OF THE TENTH
Jerry Adair walked. <--1>
Tom Tresh struck out. <--1>
Clete Boyer laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. <-2->
Gordy Coleman pinch hit for Bill Dailey. <-2->
Don McMahon came in to pitch for the Cubs. <-2->
Gordy Coleman grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the tenth, the game is tied at 3.
BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
Pete Richert came in to pitch for the Dusters. <--->
Dick Bertell pinch hit for Don McMahon. <--->
Dick Bertell singled to right. <--1>
Lou Brock laid down a sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. <-2->
Bob Raudman walked. <-21>
Ron Santo flied out to center. <-21>
Hank Aaron singled to center, scoring a run. <3-1>
CUBS WIN: 4-3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Dusters (NEV) 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 8 0
Cubs (CHC) 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 9 3
NEVADA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
M. Jones (CF) 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .302
V. Power (1B) 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .319
B. Williams (LF) 5 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .360
H. Lopez (RF) 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 .317
J. Blanchard (C) 4 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 .280
J. Adair (2B) 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 .297
T. Tresh (SS) 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 .247
C. Boyer (3B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
J. Horlen (P) 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .132
B. Dailey (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G. Coleman (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .345
P. Richert (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 38 8 6 3 1 3 5 0
2B: M. Jones 2 (4)
HR: J. Blanchard (14)
NEVADA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
J. Horlen 8.0 6 2 1 3 3 4 93 2.45
B. Dailey 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 3.12
P. Richert 0.2 2 1 0 1 1 0 18 3.29
TOTALS 9.2 9 3 1 4 4 4 127
CHICAGO ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
L. Brock (CF) 4 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 .252
B. Raudman (LF) 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 .191
R. Santo (3B) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .320
H. Aaron (RF) 5 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .312
E. Banks (SS) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .259
A. Rodgers (1B) 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .283
S. Taylor (C) 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .258
J. McKnight (2B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .197
M. Morhardt (PH) 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .265
E. White (2B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
G. Gerberman (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G. Altman (PH) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 .162
B. Schultz (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B. Will (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
D. Elston (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D. McMahon (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D. Bertell (PH) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .265
TOTALS 35 9 3 4 1 4 4 1
2B: S. Taylor (3)
HR: L. Brock (2)
CHICAGO ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
G. Gerberman 6.0 5 3 1 3 1 3 98 4.60
B. Schultz 1.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 16 1.26
D. Elston 2.2 2 2 0 0 0 2 45 1.64
D. McMahon 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 3.00
TOTALS 10.0 8 6 1 3 1 5 163
WP: D. McMahon (1-1)
LP: P. Richert (1-2)
Attendance: 36,755
Time: 2:49
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